Fifth grader Theodore Poncer, 10, born in France, holds his hand as for the oath of allegiance while awaiting his American citizenship certificate at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City. His mother is a marketing consultant, and the family lives in New York City.

Almost 300 foreign-born children of naturalized immigrants received citizenship certificates Tuesday at the USCIS center during the special event. Children of naturalized immigrants receive U.S. citizenship if they arrive to the United States as minors, but they must go through a process at USCIS to receive official citizenship documents proving they have become Americans.

Third grader Nolelis Almanzar, 9, (L), and her 2nd grade sister Noreamy Almanzar, 7, both from the Dominican Republic, wait for their citizenship certificates at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City. Their father, naturalized citizen Norberto Almanzar, is a taxi driver and their family lives in the Bronx, New York City.

Juan Vasquez, 17, (L), and his brother David Vasquez, 18, both from the Dominican Republic, await their American citizenship certificates at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City. They live in the Bronx, New York with their mother Maria Arias, who works in a restaurant.

Photo: John Moore, Getty Images

Juan Vasquez, 17, (L), and his brother David Vasquez, 18, both from...

Olivia Braddock, 4, who was born in Armenia, awaits her U.S. citizenship certificate at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City.

Photo: John Moore, Getty Images

Olivia Braddock, 4, who was born in Armenia, awaits her U.S....

Olivia Braddock, 4, who was born in Armenia, awaits her U.S.... Photo-4222904.57105 - SFGate

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Hamou Mohammed Amer, 4, born in Algeria, waits to receive his American citizenship certificate at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City. His father, a naturalized American, works as a taxi driver in Brooklyn, New York City.

Layla Hussain Nasher, 11, who's family immigrated to Newburgh, NY from Yemen, awaits her U.S. citizenship certificate at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City.

Chadmar Georges, 18, who immigrated with his parents from Haiti, prepares to take his oath of allegiance to the United States at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City. Chadmar is a college freshman at BMCC, lives in Brooklyn, New York City.

Photo: John Moore, Getty Images

Chadmar Georges, 18, who immigrated with his parents from Haiti,...

Chadmar Georges, 18, who immigrated with his parents from Haiti,... Photo-4222910.57105 - SFGate

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Kimecia Hernandez, 18, born in Trinidad, awaits her American citizenship certificate at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City. Kimecia, a special education student, lives in Brooklyn, New York with her mother Jennifer Hernandez, who works as a registered nurse.

Issa Nasher, 12, who's family immigrated from Yemen to Newburgh, NY, awaits his American citizenship certificate at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City.

Second grade student Maria Rahman, 7, holds a flag given to her by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), while waiting to receive her citizenship certificate on February 19, 2013 in New York City. Her father, Mizanur Rahman, is a naturalized American from Bangladesh, and their family lives in the Bronx, New York City.

Photo: John Moore, Getty Images

Second grade student Maria Rahman, 7, holds a flag given to her by...

Second grade student Maria Rahman, 7, holds a flag given to her by... Photo-4222901.57105 - SFGate

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High school senior Denis Dikarev, 17, stands with his third grade brother Timothy Dikarev, 8, while they wait for their citizenship certificates at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City. The brothers were born in Russia and their father, Alexy Dikarev, a naturalized American from Russia, is a maintenance worker. The family lives in Brooklyn.

Photo: John Moore, Getty Images

High school senior Denis Dikarev, 17, stands with his third grade...

High school senior Denis Dikarev, 17, stands with his third grade... Photo-4222912.57105 - SFGate

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Eighth grade student Anastasiya Varanetskaya, 13, born in the Ukraine, waits to receive her citizenship certificate at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City. Her mother, naturalized American citizen Nataliya Varanetskaya, is a medical professional, and their family lives in Brooklyn.

Otis Hemmings, 41, born in Jamaica, waits to receive his American citizenship certificate at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City. He said he was brought to the United States by his parents when he was 7 years old, but only applied decades later for his U.S. citizenship papers.

Ninth grader Shifa Jahan, 14, born in Bangladesh, waits to take the oath of allegiance to the United States at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City. Her father Mohammed Firoz, is a naturalized American from Bangladesh working in construction, and they live in Brooklyn.

Photo: John Moore, Getty Images

Ninth grader Shifa Jahan, 14, born in Bangladesh, waits to take the...

Neswima Akter, 9, who immigrated with her parents from Bangladesh to Brooklyn, awaits her American citizenship certificate at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City. Her father, Zamal Uddan, is a construction worker.

Photo: John Moore, Getty Images

Neswima Akter, 9, who immigrated with her parents from Bangladesh...

Neswima Akter, 9, who immigrated with her parents from Bangladesh... Photo-4222915.57105 - SFGate

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First grader Moussa Doucovre, 6, born in Senegal, waves flags given to him by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), while waiting to receive his citizenship certificate on February 19, 2013 in New York City. His father, a naturalized American citizen, works in retail in the Bronx, New York City.

Junilsa Vasquez, 14, from the Dominican Republic, prepares to take her oath of allegiance to the United States at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City. She lives in the Bronx, New York with her mother Maria Arias, who works in a restaurant.

Eighth grade student Carlos Hernandez, 13, born in Peru, waits to receive his citizenship certificate the United States at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City. His mother, Sisi Hernandez, a naturalized American citizen from Peru, is a domestic worker and the family lives in Queens, New York City.

Darianny Martinez, who immigrated with her parents from the Dominican Republic, waits for her citizenship certificate at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City.

Photo: John Moore, Getty Images

Darianny Martinez, who immigrated with her parents from the...

Darianny Martinez, who immigrated with her parents from the... Photo-4222913.57105 - SFGate

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Wahid Rashid, 4, born in Bangladesh, waits to receive his citizenship certificate at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City. His father, naturalized American citizen Hamidur Rashid, is a software engineer and their family lives in Manhattan, New York City.

Eighth grade student Anastasiya Varanetskaya, 13, born in the Ukraine, waits to receive her citizenship certificate at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City. Her mother, naturalized American citizen Nataliya Varanetskaya, is a medical professional, and their family lives in Brooklyn.

Ifeozuwa Oyaniyi, 5, born in Nigeria, holds flags given to him by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), while waiting to receive his citizenship certificate on February 19, 2013 in New York City. His father, Oluwaseyi Oyaniyi, is a housing inspector, and their family lives in the Bronx, New York City.

Photo: John Moore, Getty Images

Ifeozuwa Oyaniyi, 5, born in Nigeria, holds flags given to him by...

Ifeozuwa Oyaniyi, 5, born in Nigeria, holds flags given to him by... Photo-4222919.57105 - SFGate

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Second grade student Maria Rahman, 7, born in Bangladesh, holds a flag given to her by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), while waiting to receive her citizenship certificate on February 19, 2013 in New York City. Her younger sister Mayisah Rahman, 3, (R), was born in the United States. Her father, Mizanur Rahman, a taxi driver, is a naturalized American from Bangladesh, and their family lives in the Bronx, New York City.

Layla Nasher, 11 and her brother Issa Nasher, 12, who's family immigrated from Yemen to Newburgh, NY, await their American citizenship certificate at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City.

First grader Angelica Kudsi, 7, born in the Philippines, waits for her American citizenship certificate at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City. Her mother, a naturalized American citizen, works as a registered nurse, and they live in Yonkers, New York.

Sixth grader Maximilian Poncer, 12, born in France, holds his hand as for the oath of allegiance while awaiting his American citizenship certificate at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City. His mother is a marketing consultant, and the family lives in New York City.

Layla Hussain Nasher, 11, who's family immigrated from Yemen to Newburgh, NY awaits her U.S. citizenship certificate at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City.

Bushra Salawu, 18, born in Nigeria, prepares to take the oath of allegiance to the United States at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City. The 12th grade student at the Bronx Preparatory Charter School and daughter of a teacher said she moved from Nigeria to the Bronx, New York City, in 2000.

Photo: John Moore, Getty Images

Bushra Salawu, 18, born in Nigeria, prepares to take the oath of...

Bushra Salawu, 18, born in Nigeria, prepares to take the oath of... Photo-4222918.57105 - SFGate

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Eighth grader Mike Radhames Guzman, 13, waits to receive his citizenship certificate at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City. He immigrated from the Dominican Republic to the Bronx, New York City with his mother, who is a teacher's assistant and naturalizd American citizen.

Haadiya Adnan, 5, born in Pakistan, waits to receive her citizenship certificate at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City. Her father, a naturalized American from Pakistan, Adnan Chaudry, is a taxi driver, and the family lives in Brooklyn, New York City.

Second grader Nestor Montilla, 8, born in the Dominican Republic, awaits his American citizenship certificate at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City. He lives in the Bronx in New York City with his father, who works as a street vendor and is a naturalized American citizen.

Photo: John Moore, Getty Images

Second grader Nestor Montilla, 8, born in the Dominican Republic,...

Second grader Nestor Montilla, 8, born in the Dominican Republic,... Photo-4222943.57105 - SFGate

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Fourth grade student Ewelina Zdancewicz, 9, born in Poland, holds a flag given to her by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), while waiting for her citizenship certificate on February 19, 2013 in New York City. Her father, a naturalized American from Poland, is an apartment maintenance worker, and their family lives in Queens, New York City.

Seventh grader Mohammed Tamim, 12, and his first grade brother Mohammed Talha, 6, both from Bangladesh, await their American citizenship certificates at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on February 19, 2013 in New York City. Their father Mohammed Firoz, is a naturalized American from Bangladesh working in Brooklyn, New York in construction.